September 30, 2011
“Think Purple” Campaign Brings Together Town & Gown
MACOMB, IL — When Brad Bainter officially took over as vice president for advancement and public services at Western Illinois University, one of the first things on his agenda was to enhance “school spirit” in the community that Western calls home. Thus began WIU’s “Think Purple” campaign to draw together the campus and the community.
From the initial group of community participants in 2010, this year more than 30 local businesses and organizations have jumped on the “Think Purple” bandwagon, sporting purple shirts and WIU “flair,” as well as displaying banners and wall clings to show their WIU pride.
“I’d like to thank everyone who joined ‘Think Purple’ during that first year, and to those businesses and organizations who joined us for the 2011-12 campaign. It’s important to show guests to this community that they are in Leatherneck Country when they enter our city,” Bainter said. “Community pride in our University is essential for enhancing and maintaining a positive town-gown relationship.”
The following Macomb-area businesses are a part of the 2011-12 “Think Purple” campaign: Bickford Cottage, Buffalo Wild Wings, Chick’s, Citizens-A Division of Morton Community Bank, City of Macomb/Mayor’s Office, Copperfield’s Book Service, Discount Furniture and Bedding, First Bankers Trust, George’s Auto Glass, Grand Escape Day Spa, Rep. Norine Hammond, Heartland Bank & Trust, Jackson Street Market, Key Realtors, Larry A’s Pizza, Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce, Macomb Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, Macomb Country Club, Magnolias, McDonough County 911, McDonough County Housing Authority, McDonough County Voice, McDonough Power Co-op, Northwestern Mutual, MidAmerica National Bank, Nostalgia Decorating, Old Dairy, Pagliai’s Pizza, Red Ox, Rocky’s, Sports Corner, The Attic, The Cafe, The Forum, The Hampton Inn and McDonough County United Way.
“Everyone at the Sports Corner is proud to be involved with ‘Think Purple.’ The staff look forward to wearing their purple shirts on those designated days (and I even catch them wearing them on non-purple days),” said Dan O’Neill, owner of the Sports Corner. “It’s a symbol of unity between the University and the community, and we get a lot of positive responses from our customers.’
Businesses and organizations that would like to be a part of the 2012-13 “Think Purple” campaign should contact Bainter or Julie Murphy of the WIU Foundation and Development Office at (309) 298-1861.
“I am so happy that someone made this campaign a reality. It’s not about getting a purple shirt, it’s about spirit, pride and the commitment that our town should have for our school and vice versa,” said Lisa Ward, owner of Magnolias. “My staff loves to wear purple to show their spirit and pride for Western.”
To order an official WIU banner, such as the banner outside of the Sports Corner, wall cling or framed picture to display at a business or organization, contact the WIU Visual Production Center at(309) 298-1358 or VPC@wiu.edu.
Copy By: WIU
